1998 Lexus LS400 coolant reservoir

MAINTENANCE
216Parking brake
Check that the pedal has the proper travel and that, on a safe incline,
your vehicle is held securely with only the parking brake applied.
Automatic transmission ”Park” mechanism
On a safe incline, check that your vehicle is held securely with the
selector lever in ”P” position and all brakes released.
Engine compartment
Items listed below should be checked from time to time, e.g. each
time when refueling.
Washer fluid
Make sure there is sufficient fluid in the tank. See page 261 for
additional information.
Engine coolant level
Make sure the coolant level is between the Upper and Lower lines
on the seethrough reservoir when the engine is cold. See page 233
for additional information.
Battery
Your Lexus has a maintenance free battery. You do not have to add
distilled water. For longer life of the battery, however, see page 253
for additional information.
Brake fluid level
Make sure the brake fluid level is correct. See page 239 for
additional information.Engine oil level
Check the level on the dipstick with the engine turned off and the
vehicle parked on a level spot. See page 230 for additional
information.
Power steering fluid level
Check the level on the dipstick. The level should be in the ”HOT”
or ”COLD” range depending on the fluid temperature. See page 240
for additional information.
Exhaust system
Look for cracks, holes and loose supports. If you notice any change
in the sound of the exhaust or smell exhaust fumes, have the cause
located and corrected immediately. (See engine exhaust cautions in
Section 31.)

61L005-5
INTRODUCTION
220
ENGINE COMPARTMENT OVERVIEW
1 Brake fluid reservoir
2 Fuse box
3 Battery
4 Washer fluid tank
5 Engine oil level dipstick
6 Engine oil filler cap
7 Power steering fluid
reservoir
8 Engine coolant reservoir

INTRODUCTION
221
DOITYOURSELF SERVICE
PRECAUTIONS
If you perform maintenance yourself, be sure to follow the
correct procedure given in this Section.
You should be aware that improper or incomplete servicing may
result in operating problems.
Performing doityourself maintenance during the warranty period
may affect your warranty coverage. Read the separate Lexus
Warranty statement for details and suggestions.
This Section gives instructions only for those items that are
relatively easy for an owner to perform. As explained in Section 5,
there are still a number of items that must be performed by a qualified
technician with special tools.
For information on tools and parts for doityourself maintenance,
see ”Parts and tools”.
Utmost care should be taken when working on your vehicle to
prevent accidental injury. Here are a few precautions that you should
be especially careful to observe:
CAUTION
When the engine is running, keep hands, clothing, and tools
away from the moving fan and engine drive belt.
(Removing rings, watches, and ties is advisable.)
Right after driving, the engine compartment the engine,
radiator, exhaust manifold and power steering fluid
reservoir, etc. will be hot. So be careful not to touch them.
Oil and other fluids may also be hot.
Do not smoke, cause sparks or allow open flames around
fuel or the battery. Their fumes are flammable.
Be extremely cautious when working on the battery. It
contains poisonous and corrosive sulfuric acid.
Do not get under your vehicle with just the body jack
supporting it. Always use automotive jack stands or other
solid supports.
Be sure the ignition is off if you work near the electric
cooling fan or radiator grille. With the ignition on, the
electric cooling fan may automatically start to run if the air
conditioning is on and/or if the coolant temperature is high.
Use eye protection whenever you work on or under your
vehicle where you may be exposed to flying or falling
material, fluid spray, etc.
NOTICE

ENGINE
233
CHECKING THE ENGINE
COOLANT LEVEL
62L007-2
1
Reservoir cap 2
Upper line 3
Lower line
Park the vehicle at a level spot and look at the seethrough
coolant reservoir when the engine is cool. The coolant level is
satisfactory if it is between the upper and lower lines on the tank.
If the level is low, add ethyleneglycol type coolant.
The coolant level in the reservoir will vary with engine coolant
temperature. However, if the level is on or below the lower line, add
coolant to bring the level up to the upper line.
Use only ethyleneglycol type coolant. It will prevent freezing and
corrosion. Neither supplemental inhibitors nor additives are needed
nor recommended. (For information on ethyleneglycol coolant,
see also ”Engine coolant selection” described below.)If the coolant level drops within a short time after replenishing, there
may be a leak in the system. Visually check the radiator, hoses,
reservoir cap, drain cock and water pump.
If you can find no leak, have your Lexus dealer test the cap pressure
and check for leaks in the cooling system.
CAUTION
To prevent burning yourself, do not remove the reservoir cap
when the engine is hot.
Engine coolant selection
Your coolant must contain ethyleneglycol antifreeze. In addition
to preventing freezing and subsequent damage to the engine, this
will also prevent corrosion. Further supplemental inhibitors or
additives are neither needed nor recommended.
Read the antifreeze container for information on freeze protection.
Follow the manufacturer’s directions for how much to mix with
water. The total capacity of the cooling system is given on page 226.
We recommend 50% solution be used for your Lexus, or a sufficient
quantity to provide protection to about 35C (31F).
NOTICE
Do not use alcohol type antifreeze or plain water alone.

INDEX (C E)
279
Consumer information
Uniform tire quality grading 244. . . . . . . . . . .
Controls, Instrument panel Pictorial index. . . . . .
Cooling system
Coolant level 233. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine overheating 196. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radiator and reservoir 233. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Radiator cap 196. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Winter driving tips 182. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Corrosion prevention 270
Cruise control 168. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cruise information 42. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Cup holder 56. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . D
Defogger, Rear window 27. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Dimmer switch, Headlight 5, 24. . . . . . . . . . . .
Directional signals 5, 24. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Discharge warning light 39. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Does your vehicle need repairing? 217. . . . . . . .
Doityourself maintenance 221. . . . . . . . . . . .
Door locks 18. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driver’s seat 2, 70. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving
Automatic transmission 160. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving tips 180. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Driving position memory system 113. . . . . . . . . .
Driving tips
Driving tips in various conditions 181. . . . . . .
Driving with an automatic
transmission 160. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Economical driving 189. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Good braking practice 176. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Good driving practice 166
Winter driving tips 182. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
During breakin 181. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
E
Economical driving .
Saving money on both fuel and
repairs 189. . . . . . . . . .
Electrical system
Battery 253. 257. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuse locations 249. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Fuses 249, 258, 260. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Spark plugs 226. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Electronic throttle control system 167. . . . . . . .
Emergency flasher switch 31. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emergency, in case of
Blown fuse 259. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Emergency flasher switch 31. . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Flat tire 197. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
If you lose your keys 210
If your vehicle needs to be towed 205. . . . . . .
If your vehicle will not start 193. . . . . . . . . . .
Jump starting 194. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Overheating 196. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Towing 205. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Engine
Antifreeze 233. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Before starting the engine 157. . . . . . . . . . . . .

GAS STATION INFORMATION
Fuel selection:
Select premium unleaded gasoline with an Octane Rating of 91
(Research Octane Number 96) or higher for optimum engine
performance. However, if such premium type cannot be
obtained, you may temporarily use unleaded gasoline with an
Octane Rating as low as 87 (Research Octane Number 91).
Fuel tank capacity:
85 L (22.5 gal., 18.7 lmp.gal.)
Engine oil:
API SH, ”EnergyConserving II” or SJ, ”EnergyConserving”
multigrade engine oil or ILSAC multigrade engine oil.
Recommended oil viscosity SAE 5W30 if normal
temperatures are below 38C (100F)
Oil capacity: L (qt., lmp.qt.)
Drain and refill
with filter 5.6 (5.9, 4.9)
without filter 5.3 (5.6, 4.7)
See page 230 for detailed information.
Engine coolant:
Capacity: 10.8 L (11.4 qt, 10.4 lmp.qt.)
Coolant type Ethylene glycol coolant (Do not use alcohol
coolant.)
For checking the engine coolant, see page 233.
For changing the engine coolant, see the label on the coolant
reservoir.Automatic transmission:
Fluid type Automatic transmission fluid Type TIV or
equivalent
Tire information:
See page 241 through 247 for detailed information.
Tire pressure:
Tire size: P225/60R16 97V
cold tires
kPa (kgf/cm
2
or bar, psi)
Vehicle loaded up
Vehicle load up to vehicle capacity
up to occupants weight
Front tires 200 (2.0, 29) 220 (2.2, 32). . . . . . . . . . . . .
Rear tires 200 (2.0, 29) 220 (2.2, 32). . . . . . . . . . . . .
For sustained high speeds above 160 km/h (100 mph), in
countries where such speeds are permitted by law, add 80 kPa
(0.9 kgf/cm
2, 0.8 bar, 12 psi) to the front tires and rear tires, but
never exceed the maximum cold tire pressure molded on the tire
sidewall.
LS400 (U) 98